The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) board of directors recently awarded an approximately $21.5 million contract to replace the bridge that carries Route 128 north and southbound over the Waters River in Danvers.
Construction will begin early next year and is expected to be completed in 2025. The bridge will be replaced in six stages, and work will be conducted in ways that minimize environmental effects.
“MassDOT has worked closely with the local community and key stakeholders throughout the planning and design process, and we are pleased to be awarding this contract and moving forward with construction operations,” Jonathan Gulliver, highway administrator, said. “This project will provide numerous benefits, including replacing a structurally deficient bridge, improving sidewalks and adding barriers to mitigate traffic noise for local residents.”
Throughout the construction project, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour. During the final stage of construction, Exit 25 on Route 128 southbound and Exit 24 on Route 128 northbound will be temporarily closed.
During peak and weekend hours, two lanes will be open in each direction. Overnight this will be reduced to one lane.
The state’s $18.3 billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024 includes more than $7 billion for bridges, intersections, roadways, and multimodal transportation.